News and updates

Explore the latest announcements, press coverage and company updates showing the solutions we’re creating with clients, the positive difference we’re making in our communities and the value we’re delivering to shareholders. 

News

Protecting the Thames Estuary: Modeling to provide a reliable evidence base to safeguard millions of residents and billions in assets

The Thames Estuary is home to 1.51 million people and more than £400 ($546) billion-worth of assets that are at risk from tidal flooding. To address this challenge, Jacobs and JBA Consulting are leading the Thames Estuary 2100 Modelling Project for the Environment Agency — a key pillar of the Thames Estuary 2100 strategy. The project strengthens understanding of flood risk and provides the robust evidence base needed to guide smarter decisions that protect homes, safeguard critical infrastructure and support sustainable growth. By delivering trusted and unified insights for climate resilience, it’s helping to build a safer future for one of the principal development areas in southern England.
News

Jacobs’ data center digital twin featured in NVIDIA GTC keynote

During NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote presentation at the company’s GPU Technology Conference (GTC) on Monday, March 16, 2026, the founder and CEO highlighted Jacobs. The NVIDIA Omniverse DSX Blueprint and libraries now features a Jacobs Data Center Digital Twin solution that enables developers and owners to plan, simulate and optimize gigawatt-scale artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, known as AI factories, in a virtual environment – improving time to first revenue, efficient energy performance and resilient long-term operations.
News

Jacobs recognized for advancing climate resilience and environmental innovation

Jacobs has received five Environmental Business Journal and Climate Change Business Journal awards, recognizing[RK1.1] global leadership in climate resilience infrastructure, digital innovation, nature-based solutions and data-driven decarbonization, along with a lifetime achievement honor for industry leadership.
1036 items
Leaking barrels stocked up outside
News

1,4-dioxane – the other emerging contaminant

While much of the recent emerging contaminants headlines has focused on per- and polyfluoalkyl substances ( PFAS), 1,4-dioxane, a common solvent stabilizer and probable human carcinogen, is manifesting as yet another significant drinking water and environmental contaminant. 1,4‐Dioxane is a recalcitrant, synthetic cyclic ether whose reaction‐inhibiting properties make it useful in preventing breakdown of chlorinated solvents used commonly in metal degreasing and maintenance activities. Additional significant sources include the manufacture of textiles (e.g., polyester); household cleaners and detergents; cosmetics; paints, varnishes, and paint remover; industrial processing of fats and oils; printing inks and pharmaceuticals. Although this chemical has been identified at environmental sites for more than a decade, recent discovery of widespread occurrence in U.S. drinking water and recent toxicological studies have resulted in evolving regulations, keeping 1,4‐dioxane at the forefront of chemicals of emerging concern. Sampling under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR‐3) revealed greater than 10% of U.S. drinking water supplies, representing over 90 million people in 45 states, are impacted by 1,4‐dioxane. This is in comparison to only 1% of U.S. drinking water and 10 million people impacted by PFAS. The EPA has identified 1,4‐dioxane as a probable human carcinogen, and updated toxicity figures in EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) have driven risk‐based screening levels lower for many regulatory programs. There is an EPA 10E‐4 cancer risk value of 35 μg/L. In 2015, the EPA lowered its Regional Screening Level from 0.78 μg/L to 0.46 μg/L for 1,4‐dioxane in tap water

Two white men flanking a blond woman in a maroon dress and statement necklace holding a 2030 trophy
Press Release

Jacobs donates more than $465,000 to Water For People

DALLAS, Jan. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Expanding its commitment to helping end the global water crisis with sustainable solutions, Jacobs (NYSE:J) presented nonprofit organization Water For People with a donation check for $467,230 at Jacobs' January Board of Directors meeting. A combination of corporate and employee funds, the company's inaugural sponsor contribution will ignite Water For People's journey to Destination 2030, a 10-year initiative to help low- and middle-income countries achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 – ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Based in Denver, Colorado, Water For People's mission is to promote the development of high-quality drinking water and sanitation services, accessible to all, and sustained by strong communities, businesses and government, in nine countries across Latin America, Africa and Asia. Water For People's Destination 2030 initiative not only will help countries achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, but will also contribute progress toward several other U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. "Destination 2030 is Water For People's inspirational10-year vision," said Jacobs Chair and CEO Steve Demetriou. "With Jacobs support, we will help Water For People find new ways to scale their work to meet Destination 2030 and elevate their Everyone Forever model to positively impact millions more people in the next 10 years." A partner of Water For People since 1991, Jacobs has donated more than $3 million and thousands of volunteer hours to help the nonprofit make their vision – a world where every person has access to reliable and safe drinking water

Cargo boat leaving pontoon dock
News

Unique modular wharf design secures ICE Brunel medal for excellence in civil engineering

The first shipment of Amrun bauxite on ‘RTM Weipa’ sets sail from Chith Export Facility six weeks ahead of schedule in December 2018. Image courtesy of Rio Tinto. Rio Tinto’s Amrun bauxite mine in far North Queensland has the capacity to export over 22 million tonnes of bauxite each year for processing into aluminum from its Chith Export Facility near Weipa. When Jacobs engineers were asked to provide design engineering services for the marine works for the Chith Export Facility, risk, cost and schedule challenges meant looking outside traditional ‘stick-build’ construction methods. The team partnered with Rio Tinto, McConnell Dowell and Bechtel to deliver an innovative large-scale modular design and construction method for the wharf structure that significantly improved project outcomes. Today, the export facility includes a 650-meter long jetty and 350-meter long wharf with a single-sided berth capable of loading Mini Cape-sized vessels. The wharf has the potential to be expanded to a two-sided berth, capable of loading larger Cape size ships in the future. Schedule, cost and risk challenges prompt new thinking The project’s remote location presented numerous challenges, including logistical challenges transporting construction plant, equipment and materials to the site, in addition to safety risks with over water work and work-at-heights. Overcoming these challenges demanded different thinking and, in true partnership spirit, the combined team (Rio Tinto, Jacobs, McConnell Dowell and Bechtel) broke down organizational barriers to work closely every step of the way. Instead of independent dolphin and wharf support structures utilizing a large number of

news_placeholder
Press Release

Jacobs alliance to deliver services for major Australian rail infrastructure project

DALLAS, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J), as part of the Unity Alliance, has been selected by the Queensland Government to deliver the rail, integration and systems work package for the Cross River Rail project in Brisbane, Australia. Jacobs, in conjunction with Alliance participants CPB Contractors, UGL and AECOM, will deliver the package which includes the design and reconfiguration of the rail network at either end of the new cross city tunnels, supply and installation of supporting rail systems, integration of Cross River Rail into Queensland Rail's existing network and completion of seven station upgrades. "This appointment creates an opportunity for Jacobs and the other Alliance participants to help address current mobility challenges in Australia's third largest city," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President of Operations Patrick Hill. "The project will provide a vital second river crossing for the rail network, significantly easing existing capacity constraints across the network, facilitating social and economic growth and development in the region, further positioning Brisbane as a city for the future." The new 6.3-mile (10.2-kilometer) rail line will run from Dutton Park in Brisbane's inner south to Bowen Hills in the inner north and include 3.6 miles (5.9 kilometers) of tunnel under the Brisbane River and Central Business District. Extensive early work has already been completed with construction now underway. The Queensland Government is investing $3.8 billion (AU$5.4 billion) toward the delivery of the project. "Demand for rail services in South East Queensland is expected to triple by 2036,"

Stock image of water dripping down a drain
Press Release

Jacobs awarded PFAS treatment testing support services contract with the Orange County Water District

DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) has been selected by the Orange County Water District (OCWD) to provide treatment testing support services for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a family of oil and water-resistant chemicals found in numerous everyday consumer products and airport firefighting foams that have infiltrated groundwater supplies over several decades. California has established notification levels for PFOA and PFOS (two of the most common and widely detected PFAS) at 5.1 and 6.5 ng/L (parts per trillion) respectively, which are some of the most stringent values in the country. While the levels of PFAS in Orange County groundwater wells are relatively low, OCWD and its retail water agencies are exploring long-term solutions to ensure that water supplies continue to meet all state and federal water quality standards. "Jacobs' unique ability to shape the industry for PFAS solutions is drawn from our multidisciplinary capabilities in environmental, water, wastewater, solid waste, aviation and infrastructure," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President and Global Environmental Market Director Jan Walstrom. "We challenge today and reinvent tomorrow by integrating both proven and leading-edge detection and treatment technologies to address PFAS chemicals transported in drinking water, groundwater, surface water, wastewater, leachate and soil." The goal of the pilot program is to help retail water agencies in Orange County determine the best available PFAS treatment methods. Jacobs and OCWD will be testing different types of granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion exchange (IX) products, as well as novel adsorbents just emerging

Power plant in the Philippines
News

Reinstating vital power infrastructure in the Philippines under challenging conditions

Image courtesy of Energy Development Corporation When an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck the island of Leyte in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines in mid-2017, it caused multiple fatalities, injuries and significant damage to critical local infrastructure. The Mahanagdong B 60 MW geothermal power plant sustained severe damage, and power supply to the whole of the Eastern Visayas region and nearby Bohol island was interrupted. At the request of the power plant operators, Energy Development Corporation (EDC), our Power Consulting team in Asia Pacific mobilized onsite immediately to assess the extent of the damage to the plant. Our initial assessment revealed that a significant section of the retaining wall holding the plant at the top of the mountain had been damaged by a landslide and the main 220kV bay was slowly sliding down the mountain. Once the initial condition assessment was completed, our scope of work was expanded to include an options assessment and feasibility study for remediation works, detailed electrical and geotechnical design, and project and construction management services for the remediation project. The project and construction management phase blended specialist power engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) experience from our Perth office, with local project engineering to provide an integrated project delivery team well-equipped to deliver the right solution for EDC. Remote location hinders access to vital materials and equipment and challenges timeline The remoteness of the site presented numerous challenges for the team. Located on an island, at the top of a

Great crested newt
News

How the science of eDNA enhances biological and ecological monitoring

Clients face a range of challenges when it comes to legislative compliance and infrastructure development design constraints. As an industry-leading environmental and design consultancy, Jacobs is constantly looking for new ways to redefine what’s possible, harnessing “next generation” technical advancements to ensure our clients have the best data and information for decision support, as well as providing innovative solutions to their challenges that are world class. What if we showed you how, with a step change in the application of molecular monitoring techniques, we’re harnessing environmental DNA (eDNA) – nuclear or mitochondrial DNA that is released from an organism into their environment – to unlock unprecedented insight into ecosystem monitoring? 75% of field survey time saved during great crested newts presence-absence sampling 1K+ of species have been sequenced for eDNA surveying We're advancing the science of eDNA and metagenomics surveying solutions to improve biological monitoring and to preserve and protect species in their natural environment. Dr. Peter Gilchrist, FCIEEM Jacobs Biology and Ecology Solutions & Technology Leader Benefits of eDNA The eDNA application and metagenomics surveying presents a significant advancement in ecosystem monitoring. This new application of molecular monitoring tactics is a direct result of advances in sequencing technology and bioinformatics. As a tool it has relative maturity in the U.K. environment sector, which now, Jacobs is replicating in Europe, Australia, Canada and the U.S. eDNA simplifies the detection of species from environmental samples through analysis of the DNA released by organisms as they move through their environment. By taking

news_placeholder
Press Release

Jacobs to deliver architect and engineering services on USACE Environmental Quality Program

DALLAS, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) was selected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division, Mobile District to deliver architect and engineering services for its Environmental Quality Program. The multiple award task order contract will support military, civil and federal agencies such as the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, Defense Logistics Agency and other Department of Defense installations within the Mobile District's Area of Responsibility (AOR) and South Atlantic Division's AOR. With small business partners Trinity Analysis and Development Corp. and Environmental Research Group, LLC, Jacobs will provide services for all products and studies associated with complex environmental compliance, planning, pollution prevention, conservation/National Environmental Policy Act, restoration/remediation design and miscellaneous sustainment projects. The scope of work includes strategy development and planning, data gathering and analysis, evaluations and studies, and design and permitting action support under the three-year contract period of performance. "Jacobs brings a 25-year history of continuous service to the USACE Mobile District on numerous environmental compliance and pollution prevention projects," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President and Global Environmental Market Director Jan Walstrom. "Our team has the specific experience to provide timely, cost-effective, high-quality support that will benefit the Mobile District's DoD and civilian agency customers now and into the future." At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform

Aerial view of grade separated junction in England
News

New bypass designed by Jacobs and Atkins in UK opens a year early

A new 12-mile bypass designed by Jacobs and Atkins has opened in Cambridgeshire, U.K., a year ahead of schedule. The bypass forms part of Highways England’s A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme, that Jacobs and Atkins have provided detailed design services on since June 2015. With a total of 21 miles of improvements to the A14, the $1.98 billion (£1.5 billion) scheme aims to reduce journey times between Huntingdon and Cambridge by 20 minutes, add capacity to the route with a minimum of three lanes in each direction and boost the region’s economy. Serious about sustainability, the A14 team has planted two trees for each one removed in the construction of the new route and has also provided facilities for non-motorized users such as cyclists and pedestrians, including two new bridges to enable access to both sides of the road. During the development of the scheme, the archeological team found evidence of three settlements from the Anglo-Saxon period, which lasted 600 years in the U.K. between 410 A.D. and 1066 A.D., as well as seven Bronze Age burial mounds that date back to 2000 B.C. Sensitively managed, these and other archaeological discoveries help to paint a picture of the local history. The completion of the bypass counts for approximately two thirds of the route improvements, with the rest of the scheme on track to be finished as planned by the end of 2020. You can read Highways England’s announcement for the opening of the bypass here.

Employer of Choice
News

Jacobs awarded Employer of Choice for Gender Equality for fifth year running

Receiving the Employer of Choice - Jacobs Cassandra George (Inclusion and Diversity Consultant & Jacobs Women’s Network (JWN) Regional Lead), Fiona Rose (APAC I&D Manager) and Somoud Al Masri (Sales Operations Manager & JWN Global Chair) with Libby Lyons (second left), Director of the Australian Government's Workplace Gender Equality Agency We’re proud to share the annual Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) list of Employers of Choice for Gender Equality recognized Jacobs as a leader in promoting gender equality in the workplace for the fifth year in a row. The citation recognizes employers that demonstrate an active commitment and best practice to achieving gender equality and flexibility in Australian workplaces. “We at Jacobs are very proud to be recognized for a fifth consecutive year as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality,” says APAC & EMEA Jacobs Senior Vice President Patrick Hill. “We have made significant progress over the last five years with issues like pay equity and accessing the untapped leadership potential of our women. Our focus on inclusion is an ongoing strategic priority and gender balance is of particular importance.” Australia and New Zealand Vice President Richard Hayers also shares, “Driving greater gender balance and supporting a truly flexible culture across our Australia and New Zealand business is a strategic priority and will enable us to achieve our goals. Receiving the Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation is an important marker in how we’re tracking, and I’m proud of our team and the ongoing contributions to achieving this

Railway bridge over water with a reflection of a colorful sunset in the water
Press Release

Jacobs wins major high-speed rail contract in Sweden

DALLAS, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) was awarded a framework contract by the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), to provide strategic consultancy services for the new high-speed railway lines planned between Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö in Sweden. Jacobs will provide technical advice and services across planning, system, design and delivery of the three ongoing projects. Improving connectivity between the major cities, the new high-speed railway lines are expected to increase capacity and resiliency in the railway system, create more sustainable travel and freight transport and, promote regional development and greater access to international markets. "Jacobs has significant global experience supporting local authorities and regions in the planning and delivery of their large-scale high-speed rail initiatives," said Jacobs People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President and General Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa Donald Morrison. "Sweden's vision for a new generation railway is an exciting opportunity to provide cleaner, faster transport capacity and connectivity in the regions, and stimulate economic development." The Swedish Transport Administration is planning to develop new main lines between Stockholm-Malmö and Stockholm-Gothenburg – starting with the East Link for Järna-Linköping (approximately 150 kilometers), Göteborg-Borås (approximately 60 kilometers) and Hässleholm-Lund (approximately 70 kilometers). These initial projects can potentially form part of a 660-kilometer high-speed rail network with a cost estimated at $23.8 billion (SEK230 Billion, price level 2016-05) by Swedish Transport Administration, that will connect the southern parts of Sweden to create additional capacity and reduce inter-city journey times with fast and sustainable transport. "Today, our main

news_placeholder
Press Release

Jacobs selected by US Navy's Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic for intelligent asset management

DALLAS, March 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:J) was selected by U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic for base operating support (BOS) services at naval installations located in Jefferson and Kitsap counties in Washington, referred to as West Sound (WSBOS). The NAVFAC WSBOS contract is effective April 1, 2020 and has a negotiated award value of $52.3 million with a maximum potential award of $418.9 million over an eight-year period of performance, including a 12-month base period and seven, 12-month option periods. With Jacobs' depth of capabilities around Intelligent Asset Management (IAM) through reliability-centered maintenance programs, the company will provide enhanced operations and maintenance expertise to increase infrastructure reliability and availability at the various locations throughout the Commander, Navy Region Northwest. Services performed include the areas of fire and emergency, facility management, facility investment, BUMED (Bureau of Medicine and Surgery) facility investment, pavement clearance, utilities wastewater, base support vehicles and equipment, environmental and other services. "The WSBOS contract allows us to deliver innovative IAM solutions across an expanded U.S. Navy footprint, building on our ongoing success at the U.S. Navy's Mayport installation," said Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions Senior Vice President Steve Arnette. "We will deploy agile technical and management approaches across all elements of the WSBOS enterprise while making safety a priority in all that we do." Naval Base Kitsap is the host command for the Navy's fleet throughout West Sound to provide base operating services, including support for both surface ships and fleet ballistic missile and other nuclear